Abu Darda رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ, he was given permission to go on the condition that he becomes the governor there. However, Sayyiduna Abu Darda رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ did not accept the condition of becoming a governor and said, ‘I wish to go to Syria in order to teach the people there the Sunnahs of the Beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم and the way of offering Salah in accordance to the Sunnah.’ Thus, after seeing his passion for spreading the call to righteousness, Ameer Al-Mu’mineen Sayyiduna Umar رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ could not prevent him anymore and eventually granted him permission to go. (Tareekh Ibn ‘Asakir, Raqm 5464; ‘Uwaymir Bin Zayd Bin Qays, 47. 135)

Before their departure, Sayyiduna Umar Al-Farooq رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ said to these three blessed individuals, ‘Commence in the city of Homs; you will find that the temperaments of people there varies, for example, some of them will learn the Quran very quickly. When you see that the people are learning easily, one person should remain with them, the second should go to Damascus and the third to Palestine.’ Thus, these three individuals went to Homs and remained there until they became satisfied with the learning of those people. Sayyiduna ‘Ubadah Bin Saamit رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ stayed there, Sayyiduna Abu Darda رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ travelled to Damascus, and Sayyiduna Mu’aaz Bin Jabal رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ went to Palestine. (Tabaqat Ibn-e-Sa’d, vol. 2, p. 272, Selected)

The greatest favour upon the people of Syria

O devotees of the Sahabah and Ahl al-Bayt! How great was the passion of the well-known companion of the Prophet, Sayyiduna Abu Darda رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ for imparting the teachings of the Quran to the people and instructing them regarding the Sunnah, such that he left the blessed vicinity of Madinah al-Munawwarah and travelled to Syria. Although the other noble Sahabah رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُم also strove to spread the call to righteousness and the blessings of the Quran, Sayyiduna Abu Darda رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ is that personality who taught the Quran to a large group of people of Syria.